ChordStrike

'Stylo' Steals, Eddy Alleges

It’s that time again: time for another plagiarism claim!

The newest protest comes from 80s reggae star Eddy Grant about the first single from the new Gorillaz album Plastic Beach. Grant has consulted his lawyers alleging that there are “substantive similarities” between the current Gorillaz single “Stylo” and Grant’s 1983 track “Time Warp.”

In an email to the British music magazine NME, he explained “My song sits almost note to note with their release and is a blatant rip off. ‘Time Warp’ is a very popular song and has been a staple of the DJ scene for many years and I feel total disrespect from Gorillaz and their management company, especially as they are an established act.” Neither Gorillaz nor their label E.M.I. have commented on the situation as of yet, but the argument has already spilled into the public domain with fans of each artist taking a side in the debate.

Still, there is something of a silver lining: Coldplay fans across the globe are breathing a sigh of relief that plagiarism lawyers currently have other artists to concern them.

As is now customary, a helpful Youtube user has uploaded both tracks back to back so we can compare:

And while we're here, if you haven't seen the official Bruce Willis-starring video for "Stylo" yet, we suggest you head over to YouTube to see it, cos it's really cool.

Do you think Eddy has a case? Or do you think it's just a coincidence?

--Hazel @ SoundUnwound

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Christopher Walken Performs Lady Gaga's "Poker Face"

Our friends over at Armchair Commentary posted this awesome video of actor Christopher Walken performing Lady Gaga's "Poker Face."  I'm a Lady Gaga fan, but I have to say--nobody does it like Christopher Walken.  Check out both Walken's version and the original Gaga music video below.

--Bri Nguyen

The Best Music of 2009

It may feel a little early for this sort of thing, but we on the Amazon music team have pooled our collective knowledge and taste to determine the best music of 2009.

We spent 2009 soothed by Neko Case's wail, moved to dance by Yeah Yeah Yeahs' turn towards big beats, intrigued by Somali hip-hop Troubadour K'naan, and ready to hear three key words from neo-twangsters the Avett Brothers.

On the songs side, French popsters Phoenix went nutty for a composer and we went nutty for Phoenix. La Roux made us feel invincible, Jay-Z officially crushed an awful trend, and Passion Pit sent us reeling.

Voting with their wallets, our customers told us they really like U2, as it was both our bestselling CD and MP3 album of 2009. Black Eyed Peas also popped up in plenty of playlists, as they locked down the top two slots on our songs chart.

Every year, great albums slip through the cracks. This year, our editors wanted to save some from that unfair fate. We shine a spotlight on excellent underheard CD and MP3 albums across all genres, and we've even made a playlist featuring a single song from each record, so you can sample 'til you find something you like.

Dig into the lists and see which lists line up most closely with your personal tastes:

Best Albums of 2009

1. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
3. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
4. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
5. the Avett Brothers - I and Love and You
6. Girls - Album
7. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
8. K'naan - Troubadour
9. Jay-Z - Blueprint 3
10. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career

> See all top 100 best albums of 2009
> See the list at Amazon MP3

Best Songs of 2009

1. Phoenix - "Lisztomania"
2. La Roux - "Bulletproof"
3. Jay-Z - "D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)"
4. Animal Collective - "My Girls"
5. Neko Case - "People Got a Lotta Nerve"
6. Passion Pit - "The Reeling"
7. Girls - "Lust for Life"
8. Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"
9. The Avett Brothers - "I and Love and You"
10. Lily Allen - "The Fear"

> See all top 100 best songs of 2009
> Sample songs 1-50
> Sample songs 51-100

Bestselling CDs of 2009 (through October, including pre-orders)

1. U2 - No Line on the Horizon
2. Susan Boyle - I Dreamed a Dream
3. Diana Krall - Quiet Nights
4. Bruce Springsteen - Working on a Dream
5. Bob Dylan - Together through Life

> See all 100 bestselling CDs of 2009

Bestselling MP3 Albums of 2009 (through October)

1. U2 - No Line on the Horizon
2. Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown
3. Jay-Z - Blueprint 3
4. Paramore - Brand New Eyes
5. Lily Allen - The Fear

> See all 100 bestselling MP3 albums of 2009

Bestselling Songs of 2009 (through October)

1. Black Eyed Peas - "Boom Boom Pow"
2. Black Eyed Peas - "I Gotta Feeling"
3. Flo Rida - "Right Round"
4. Miley Cyrus - "The Climb"
5. Pitbull - "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho"

> See all 100 bestselling songs of 2009
> Sample songs 1-50
> Sample songs 51-100

Outstanding 2009 Albums You Might Have Missed

1. Throw Me the Statue - Creaturesque
2. Mt. St. Helen's Vietnam Band
3. The Legends - Over and Over
4. Lushlife - Cassette City
5. Point Juncture, Wa - Heart to Elk

> See all 100 2009 albums you might have missed at Amazon MP3
> Sample songs from albums 1-50
> Sample songs from albums 51-100

Head over to our best music of 2009 store to find complete lists, plus the best in everything from Latin music to Gospel to comedy and all points between.

We're aware there's still a decent chunk of the year left. We'll be adding a latecomers and honorable mentions feature over the next few weeks. Hit the comments, let us know what we missed, and perhaps it'll make an appearance.

-- Jeff Reguilon

Best Music of October, 2009: La Roux

Now that the ‘80s music revival is in full swing, those of us who were lucky enough to experience the original decade, and who were sad to see its musical demise, have a lot to be thankful for--and nobody has re-imagined the clean, danceable pop of the ‘80s for the new millennium better than British synthophiles La Roux. Sporting artistic influences of the highest order, including Prince’s dark electro funk, Eurythmics’ shocking visual and melodic style, and a heavy dose of the sharp songwriting and synthtastic sounds  of Yaz (or Yazoo to you Brits) , the team of Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid have created an anachronistic gem of an album that’s so strong, it could have brought back the ‘80s all on its own.

So much synthpop from past decades, as well as from today, has a plastic, disposable feel to it, and truly, much of it is just that—but not La Roux. What’s so salient about this debut release is not only its sharp attention to sonic detail and stylistic flair, but, as with all of the best pop music, its top-tier songwriting. These songs are catchy, deeply felt, full of attitude, and just the right length. Every listen leaves me begging for the back button, and check my iTunes library—of all the records I’ve loved and obsessed over this year, nothing has had more play than La Roux. Tracks like “Bulletproof” are undeniable, amplifying the most ‘80s elements of the ‘80s into a distilled and concentrated dose of thoughtful, dark, pop perfection that feel like they’d be perfect for everything from exercising and dancing to road-tripping and relaxing.

But honestly, you don’t need to be a fan of ‘80s music, or even pop to appreciate what this album really is—a timeless, quality work of art created by talented people who feel what they’re doing so much that every synthesized note feels completely natural.

Check out La Roux's video for their latest single, "I'm Not Your Toy," as well as the classic "Bulletproof," below.

--Alan Wiley

La Roux: Interviewed

Earlier this summer, on one of the hottest days in the history of Seattle, I sat down with Mercury Prize-nominated artist Elly Jackson, half of British electronic pop sensation La Roux, before one of just a handful of stateside club shows she played prior to her band's domestic release. With her partner-in-music Ben Langmaid, the 21-year-old Ms. Jackson has created one of my favorite records of the year, La Roux's self-titled debut, which made its much-anticipated appearance on American shores just this week.

With a bevy of UK top 10 singles ("Bulletproof," "In For The Kill," "Quicksand"), critical acclaim, and superstar status across the pond, La Roux is poised to make a big splash here in the states. We talked about songwriting, the '80s, and the band's international potential, among other things. Check out the interview below.

--Alan Wiley

Kanye and Gaga at the MTV Video Music Awards

The media was buzzing this morning over Kanye West's outburst at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.  If you haven't already heard, Kanye rushed onstage during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for Best Female Video, snatched the mic, and loudly proclaimed that Beyoncé had "one of the best videos of all time." 

For some reason, this doesn't surprise me at all.  It's Kanye, after all.  And while this particular incident is all over the media today, it will blow over fairly quickly, as these things tend to do.  I was, however, mildly curious about seeing the actual incident, so I dug up some video.  Check it out below.

I also came across the video of Lady Gaga performing "Paparazzi" at the awards, and what a performance it was.  I found it thoroughly entertaining--dramatic, satirical, and "bloody" good fun (you'll see what I mean if you watch the video.)  And she can actually sing live, too.  Sometimes her musical ability is overshadowed by her penchant for the outrageous, but she's quite the musician, IMHO.      

--Bri Nguyen

DJ AM, 1973–2009

As reported today, DJ AM, born Adam Goldstein, has passed away.  He was 36 years old. 

Goldstein was a member of the band Crazy Town, known for their 2001 hit song, “Butterfly.”  His work as a DJ appeared on albums by Madonna, Will Smith, Papa Roach, Shifty, and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.  He spun at private celebrity events and Hollywood hotspots, and was also known for his romances with reality TV star Nicole Richie and actress-singer Mandy Moore. 

Goldstein was also known for his collaboration with drummer Travis Barker of the punk band blink-182.  The duo played several live DJ-and-drum sets, including one at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. 

In September 2008, Goldstein and Barker were involved in a private plane crash in Columbia S.C.  Though critically injured, both Goldstein and Barker survived. 

Goldstein posted his last known public remarks on Twitter on Tuesday, August 25, when he tweeted the following Grandmaster Flash lyrics: "New York, New York.  Big city of dreams, but everything in New York ain't always what it seems."

Rest in peace, DJ AM.

--Bri Nguyen

Image via theinsider.com

World Music Wednesday: Music from Malaita (Solomon Islands)

This week’s installment of World Music Wednesdays comes courtesy of my fellow ChordStriker Alan Wiley, who came across the video below while burning the midnight oil earlier this week.  He sent it to me, and I was so intrigued that I immediately scrapped what I'd been planning to write about in favor of this vid.  It’s amazingly cool.

I wasn’t able to find much background info on the video, but I did discover this much: it was made by French ethnomusicologist Hugo Zemp in Malaita (one of the Solomon Islands.)  The people in the video are from the 'Are 'are ethnic group, which is known for complex panpipe music.  Originally, the ‘Are ’are produced music by striking hollow bamboo sticks of varying sizes on coconut shells, but this method has evolved over time (in the video, the players strike bamboo sticks on rocks, and my research has revealed that the 'Are 'are also play panpipes by blowing into them.)  This method of music-making might seem simple, but it’s really quite complex; as you can see in the video, players harmonize with one another, and single players can grip multiple bamboo pipes with their fingers and toes in order to produce multiple notes at once.

If you like world music or watching videos on the web, chances are you’ve heard a sampling of music from Malaita before.  Electronic/new age duo Deep Forest used a vocal sample from a recording made by Zemp in their 1992-93 hit, “Sweet Lullaby.”  Zemp’s original recording features a woman named Afunakwa singing a traditional lullaby called “Rorogwela.”   “Sweet Lullaby” was popularized in 2005 when it was used as the background music for two viral videos made by Matt Harding (of Where the Hell is Matt? fame.)  Check out one of Matt’s awesome dancing vids below.  Yes, they've been around for a few years, but I still love watching them.  They somehow exemplify what world music means to me--discovery, joy, celebration...I could go on and on.

--Bri Nguyen

August is an exciting month here at ChordStrike.  We've put together our World Music Event and our editors’ picks for the 100 Greatest World Music Albums of All Time, and in honor of these internationally-themed occasions (and frankly because I’ll use any excuse to blog about world music), I’ve created a month-long miniseries of blog posts called “World Music Wednesdays." Each Wednesday this month, I’ll highlight a different genre of world music. Suggestions welcome!

Image above via justview.info

HEALTH Offer Blood, Hair and Love if You Buy Their New Album

The wide availability of free and cheap music on the internet means that, these days, it isn't enough for musicians to just make music - they have to give fans something else if they're going to sell any records. It used to be posters and specially written liner notes and "multimedia content"; now it seems to be entry into a wacky personalized competition. Earlier this year, Nine Inch Nails drummer Josh Freese offered personal phone calls, a taste of his wife's lasagna and the keys to his car to fans willing to stump up big bucks for his solo album Since 1972. Now cult LA-based noise-rockers HEALTH have hidden 66 colored tokens in physical copies of their new album Get Color. Prizes include T-shirts, phone calls, bouquets of flowers, "a lock of a band member's hair," and even an "LP test pressing autographed in our blood." First prize, for finding the golden ticket, is three days of fun with the band in Los Angeles, airfares included. "You are staying with us," they promise the winner, "We will take you to Magic Mountain. We will take you to the zoo. We will bring you breakfast in bed. We will love each other." Now there's a prize you might want to think carefully about claiming.

Whether you'd want to claim the prize or not, here's a YouTube video featuring the slightly insane second single from Get Color, "We Are Water":

--Ally @ SoundUnwound

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We'll be posting a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike every week; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon.

Out This Week: Good New Music You Might Have Missed

Zero 7 - "Medicine Man"
Suggested if you like: Solange, Janelle Monae, mixology

Christina Courtin - Foreign Country
Suggested if you like: Madeleine Peyroux, Jolie Holland, sweet tea

Speech Debelle (feat. Micachu) - "Better Days"
Suggested if you like: Estelle, Roots Manuva, hip-hop from over there

Kleerup
Suggested if you like: Robyn, Lykke Li, flashing lights

Drug Rug - Paint the Fence Invisible
Suggested if you like: Apollo Sunshine, Beachwood Sparks, sweet ponchos

Los Pikadientes de Caborca - "Billie Jean"
Suggested if you like: this M.I.S. cover of "Bittersweet Symphony," unlikely tributes

-- Jeff Reguilon

Out This Week: Good New Music You Might Have Missed

American Steel - Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts
Suggested if you like: the Gaslight Anthem, the Killers, pumping your fist

Generationals - Con Law
Suggested if you like: the Shins, the saner side of Of Montreal, Pop Rocks

Josh Mease - Wilderness
Suggested if you like: Matt Costa, Sondre Lerche, spending the better part of your summer submerged waist-deep in a swimming pool

Joell Ortiz Covers the Classics
Suggested if you like: Ghostface Killah, Fat Joe, repurposing/defiling the canon

Mr. Hudson - "Supernova"
Suggested if you like: Kenna, the Fashion, exploding stars

Daniel Johnson - Lazrus
Suggested if you like: the Knife, Cousteau, moodiness

-- Jeff Reguilon